Ranked in the top ten in the world eleven times in four events from 1969 to '91,
Larrieu reached a high of fifth three times. Ranked number five in the 1500 in 1974,
fifth in the 10,000 in 1985 and fifth again in the marathon in 1990. Upon making
her fifth Olympic team in the marathon in 1992, Francie Larrieu-Smith was given the
honor of carrying the U.S. flag during the opening ceremony. Larrieu competed in the 1,500 meters at the 1972 and '76 Olympics, being eliminated in the semifinals each time. She ran second at 1,500 meters in the 1977 World Cup. Larrieu qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic team. She finished fifth in the 1988 Olympic 10,000 meters; second at the 1991 World Cup Marathon and 12th in the 1992 Olympic marathon. She was elected to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame in 1989.